This is mainly centred on still water lakes and ponds dotted around Lancashire. The waters are not very big but they have copious amounts of fish. These range from roach and tench to bream and carp. It's the latter that I aim to fish for.

This year saw the purchase of a new £140 carp rod, something that I​'d promised myself years ago. I say £140.... I actually managed to buy it for £34.99.Another new piece of kit I acquired was a controller float called a Bolt Machine.

Day OneBeing so used to using my normal method of pole and free-line, I neglected the new rod purchase.I somehow thought that I would give up my comfort blanket and try out this new piece of kit.I arrived at a lovely lake that has a mixture of fish including some nice sized carp.

I catapulted some dog biscuits out into the lake and began to tackle up.It took a short while, but sure enough, the carp started to feed and as more feed went in, the feeding frenzy grew accordingly.The Bolt Machine was cast and the distance covered by using the new rod was nothing short of astounding. The Bolt Machine travelled way past my expected landing point.

15 carp were landed to 12lb, with some smashing the line with ease.

All in all, a great day out on a beautiful lake....

Day TwoToday saw a visit to a complex that has three ponds which includes one that I've managed 90 fish in a session!A challenge was sought, so I thought I'd try a larger pond with an island in the middle.

Again, dog biscuits were fired out and sure enough, the carp became interested. Another 20 carp were landed with another 5 breaking the line!

Day ThreeBack to the lake I visited on day one with the conditions just perfect for floater fishing. Once again, the extremely economical dog biscuits were catapulted out into the lake at a distance of about 80ft.

There were a few other anglers nearby and two of them came around to watch from my vantage point.Both couldn't believe what they were seeing as at least 40 carp were landed and at least 15 others broke to freedom.The water was actually "boiling" with carp and other fish joining in the feeding frenzy.

I'm quite impressed with the new rod and the Bolt Machine, now it's a case of pole versus new rod!

I'm looking forward to experimenting further before the survey and detecting season starts in earnest.